How Does Invisalign Work?

How does Invisalign work? Because this teeth-straightening treatment relies on thin plastic aligners, you might find it a bit perplexing. How can such lightweight, inconspicuous aligners give you a perfectly straight smile? After all, traditional braces use metal brackets and wires, materials more typically associated with major repairs. Let’s explore how Invisalign aligners are able to successfully align your teeth, giving you the smile makeover you’ve always dreamed about.

The Invisalign Process

The Initial Consultation

First, you must schedule an initial consultation with your dentist to learn if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. At this appointment, you will learn more about the treatment process and receive estimates for how long it will take and how much it will cost. Ask as many questions as you like to decide if Invisalign is a good fit for you. As soon as you give the go-ahead, the process can begin.

Scans and Photographs

Your dental team will use an intraoral scanner to create a precise 3D digital scan. The process is quick, simple, and painless. You will likely also need to have x-rays and photos taken. Using this information and specialized software, your dental team will create your custom treatment plan. Then, they will send this information to a lab, which will create a series of custom clear aligners for you.

Aligner Trays

When your aligner trays are ready, your dentist will show you how to wear them and provide further instructions. Typically, you will need to switch to a new series of trays every one to two weeks, depending on your treatment schedule. You will also need to wear your aligners at least 22 hours per day for the best results. If you don’t wear your aligners as often as you should, your treatment will likely take longer than initially estimated. You can, however, remove your aligners to eat, drink, brush, and floss.

Check-Ups

You will need to visit your dentist regularly (about every six weeks) so that they can monitor your progress. Your dentist will check that your teeth are moving as expected and evaluate your overall oral health.

So, how does Invisalign work? The key is the design of the plastic aligners. They place a small amount of pressure on the specific teeth that need to be moved.

During your two weeks with a set of aligners, your teeth will shift into the position encouraged by the aligners. The first few days may be uncomfortable as your teeth get settled. At the end of the two weeks, the aligners won’t be able to move your teeth any further. This is when you switch to a new set of aligners, which are designed to shift your teeth a little more.

This process continues for many weeks, with your teeth taking small steps in the right direction with each new set of aligners. You will repeat it until you’ve worn all of the aligners and your teeth are in their final, correct position.

Your dentist will let you know when your Invisalign treatment is complete. Keep in mind, however, that you will need to wear a retainer post-treatment so that your teeth don’t shift out of place. This will preserve the straight smile that you worked so hard to achieve!

_____